CAE Engineer, Optimus

Overview

CAE Engineer, Optimus  Tesla Robotics Team designs and builds humanoid bi-pedal robots (Optimus). As a CAE Engineer, you will guide the design of sensors and structural components using high-fidelity FE models grounded in sound engineering principles. You will work closely with mechanical, electrical, controls, software, and manufacturing teams to analyze and optimize designs, challenge traditional CAE methods, and pioneer more efficient, accurate approaches.

This role places you at the forefront of critical design and engineering decisions for a humanoid robot that has never been executed before.

• Develop and analyze comprehensive Finite Element (FE) models for Optimus, from individual components to the full system
• Conduct static, dynamic, structural and MBD simulations to evaluate and validate performance against requirements for strength, stiffness, durability and sensing
• Build and refine simulation workflows to assess performance across diverse operating scenarios, automate processes, documentation, and tools to improve efficiency, accuracy, and repeatability
• Provide design guidance to world-class engineering teams, enabling data-driven product decisions
• Collaborate with Test Engineering to design and validate experiments, correlate test data with simulations, and enhance predictive modeling capabilities
• Establish and maintain modeling standards, methods, and best practices for current and future programs
• Material characterization and advanced modeling of structural and sensing components
• Plan and execute large-scale DOEs, creating ML driven surrogate models to extract insights to drive key design decisions

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, or equivalent experience
• Strong foundation in Engineering Mechanics, Computational Mechanics, Material Science, and Finite Element Theory and applications
• Demonstrated ability to guide structural, sensing, thermal, and mechanism designs through CAE, from concept to mass production, across robotics, automotive, and consumer electronics
• Expertise in building high-fidelity FE models at component, sub-system, and full-system levels
• Proficiency in linear and nonlinear static, dynamic and modal simulations and experience developing multi-physics simulation workflows (e.g., thermal-mechanical, mechanical-electrical)
• Advanced knowledge in material characterization and modeling, including nonlinear elasticity, viscoelasticity, creep, and strain-rate dependent plasticity in Metals, Plastics, Polymers and Adhesives
• Proficiency in CAE Tools such as BETA CAE, LS-DYNA, Abaqus, ADAMS, COMSOL, OPTISTRUCT, Design Life, FE Safe
• Strong programming and data analysis skills in MATLAB, Python, or equivalent
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams

• Expected Compensation: $88,000 - $228,000 annual salary + cash and stock awards + benefits
• Pay offered may vary depending on location, knowledge, skills, and experience. Details provided with offer.
• Benefits include: medical, dental, vision plans; HSA/FSA; 401(k) with employer match; employee stock purchase plan; life insurance; disability; EAP; paid time off; holidays; commuter benefits; and other voluntary benefits.

Location:

Menlo Park, CA;
Fremont, CA. This role may be based in California with relocation considerations.